Once again, The Coalition, Inc. has partnered with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct minor stings in an effort to decrease the dangers and consequences of alcohol purchased by minors in Angelina County. Under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, juveniles under the legal age to drink/purchase alcohol are used as decoys to enter businesses that are licensed to sell alcohol and then attempt to purchase alcohol.

“Research shows us that kids who drink alcohol are more likely to be involved in alcohol-related traffic crashes and to have serious school-related problems. Armed with that knowledge, the adults in our community have the responsibility to make sure minors can’t purchase alcohol from our retail stores,” says Sharon Kruk, Executive Director of The Coalition, Inc. “The Coalition is proud to partner with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and TABC to provide minor stings that we hope will ultimately keep the kids in our community safer.”

Two additional minor sting operations were conducted in March and April, for a total of forty attempted purchases in 2018. The Coalition, Inc. commends the twelve businesses that did notsell to minors and recognizes them for helping to combat underage drinking:

Big’s, E. Denman Ave.

Big’s, N. Temple Drive (Diboll)

Big’s, S. Temple Drive (Diboll)

Brookshire Brothers, N. Temple Drive (Diboll)

Buffalo Wild Wings, Miles Way

Casa Ole, S. First Street

Dollar General, E. Denman Ave.

Dollar General, Hwy. 69 South (Huntington)

Dollar General, N. Temple Drive (Diboll)

Family Dollar Store, Hwy. 69 South (Huntington)

The Front Porch Social Club, FM 1818 (Diboll)

On the Road, S. First Street

Eight businesses did sell to minors and administrative action was taken against the individuals who sold the alcohol:

Brookshire Brothers, N. Main (Huntington)

Diboll Depot, N. Temple Drive (Diboll)

Family Dollar Store, E. Denman Ave.

Homer Mini Mart, Hwy. 69 South

Food Mart, E. Denman Ave.

Kwik Check, E. Denman Ave.

Pilot Travel, E. Denman Ave.

Ralph & Kacoo’s, S. First Street

Sale to a minor is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $4,000, confinement up to a year in jail, or both. Persons 21 or older (other than the parent or guardian) can be held liable for damages caused by intoxication of a minor under 18 if the adult knowingly provided alcoholic beverages to a minor or knowingly allowed the minor to be served or provided alcoholic beverages on the premises owned or leased by the adult.

Over the past 30 years, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information on how to help prevent underage drinking, please contact The Coalition at (936) 634-9308 or visit www.angelinacoalition.org.